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Nebraska Counties

There is ninety-three counties in state of Nebraska. Despite the fact that Sarpy County contained the oldest settlement in the state, it was one of the last lands along the river to be recognized by law. Finally, on February 1, 1857, the land "where the cities meet the country" was officially created.

Etymology - Origin of Boone County Name

Demographics:

Boone County History

Historical accounts of the "Great
American Desert" indicate that stolen horses may have led to the formation of
Boone County. According to reports from the 1800s, no white man other than
government surveyors had explored the 687-square-mile area prior to 1860. The
area was primarily a bountiful hunting ground for the Pawnee and Sioux Indians.

But in the late 1860s, Sam Smith of Columbus ventured into the area in search of
a stolen herd of horses. In 1871 Smith returned to this thriving prairie area
along Beaver Creek as leader of a six-man exploration party. The party was
unconvinced, however, that the land was of value. One member of the party, S.D.
Avery, decided to try his fortunes again. Avery led three exploration parties to
the area that same year and on the third visit began work on a sod house along
Beaver Creek, marking the first white settlement.

Avery began the settlement just one month after the Legislature, on March 28,
1871, defined the boundaries and organized the county, naming it in honor of
Kentucky pioneer and hunter Daniel Boone. The government of Boone County
officially went into operation on July 28, 1871 when three commissioners were
sworn into office. It was decided by these new representatives that the first
county election would be conducted on the first Tuesday in January 1872.

A difference of opinion arose over where the county seat should be located and a
struggle developed between Albion and Boone, the only two locations with post
offices. An election was held and Albion was the victor. Until the first
courthouse was completed in 1897, commissioners met in an Albion hotel. The
present courthouse was dedicated in 1976.

The community that today serves as the county seat actually had its name
selected through a game of chance. Two factions argued for several weeks about
what the town should be named. They agreed to settle the argument with game of
euchre. Two men played for the name Albion; two for the name Manchester.

Geography: Land and Water

As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 687 square miles (1,780 km2), of which 687 square miles (1,780 km2) is
land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km2) (0.1%) is water.